diff --git a/tbot/error.py b/tbot/error.py
index ca7a2de3..406cac13 100644
--- a/tbot/error.py
+++ b/tbot/error.py
@@ -169,6 +169,29 @@ class ChannelClosedError(MachineError):
     """
 
 
+class InvalidRetcodeError(MachineError):
+    """
+    While trying to fetch the return code of a command, unexpected output was received.
+
+    This error usually indicates some deeper issue with the machine connection.
+    For example, there could be kernel log messages being printed in between
+    command output.
+
+    .. versionadded:: UNRELEASED
+    """
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        host: "machine.Machine",
+        retcode_str: str,
+    ) -> None:
+        self.host = host
+        self.retcode_str = retcode_str
+        super().__init__(
+            f"received string {retcode_str!r} instead of a return code integer"
+        )
+
+
 class ChannelBorrowedError(ApiViolationError):
     """
     Error type for exceptions when accessing a channel which is currently borrowed.
diff --git a/tbot/machine/linux/ash.py b/tbot/machine/linux/ash.py
index 5730ce3b..fc0490b3 100644
--- a/tbot/machine/linux/ash.py
+++ b/tbot/machine/linux/ash.py
@@ -123,10 +123,9 @@ def exec(
                 out = self.ch.read_until_prompt()
             ev.data["stdout"] = out
 
-            self.ch.sendline("echo $?", read_back=True)
-            retcode = self.ch.read_until_prompt()
+            retcode = util.posix_fetch_return_code(self.ch, self)
 
-        return (int(retcode), out)
+        return (retcode, out)
 
     def exec0(
         self: Self, *args: typing.Union[str, special.Special[Self], path.Path[Self]]
@@ -192,8 +191,7 @@ def __str__(self) -> str:
                     output = proxy_ch.read_until_prompt()
                 ev.data["stdout"] = ev.getvalue()
 
-            proxy_ch.sendline("echo $?", read_back=True)
-            retcode = int(proxy_ch.read_until_prompt())
+            retcode = util.posix_fetch_return_code(proxy_ch, self)
 
             return (retcode, output)
 
diff --git a/tbot/machine/linux/bash.py b/tbot/machine/linux/bash.py
index ffa61bac..db8a7333 100644
--- a/tbot/machine/linux/bash.py
+++ b/tbot/machine/linux/bash.py
@@ -130,10 +130,9 @@ def exec(
                 out = self.ch.read_until_prompt()
             ev.data["stdout"] = out
 
-            self.ch.sendline("echo $?", read_back=True)
-            retcode = self.ch.read_until_prompt()
+            retcode = util.posix_fetch_return_code(self.ch, self)
 
-        return (int(retcode), out)
+        return (retcode, out)
 
     def exec0(
         self: Self, *args: typing.Union[str, special.Special[Self], path.Path[Self]]
@@ -199,8 +198,7 @@ def __str__(self) -> str:
                     output = proxy_ch.read_until_prompt()
                 ev.data["stdout"] = ev.getvalue()
 
-            proxy_ch.sendline("echo $?", read_back=True)
-            retcode = int(proxy_ch.read_until_prompt())
+            retcode = util.posix_fetch_return_code(proxy_ch, self)
 
             return (retcode, output)
 
diff --git a/tbot/machine/linux/util.py b/tbot/machine/linux/util.py
index 583d7cd5..ef0361cd 100644
--- a/tbot/machine/linux/util.py
+++ b/tbot/machine/linux/util.py
@@ -44,6 +44,15 @@ def wait_for_shell(ch: channel.Channel) -> None:
             timeout = 3.0
 
 
+def posix_fetch_return_code(ch: channel.Channel, mach: M) -> int:
+    ch.sendline("echo $?", read_back=True)
+    retcode_str = ch.read_until_prompt()
+    try:
+        return int(retcode_str)
+    except ValueError:
+        raise tbot.error.InvalidRetcodeError(mach, retcode_str) from None
+
+
 def posix_environment(
     mach: M, var: str, value: "typing.Union[str, linux.Path[M], None]" = None
 ) -> str: